Happy Monday

Here's another jewel I found while purging the annals of my childhood before the big move to Gainesville.

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Like a lot of kids growing up, we used to brown bag our lunches. It was usually comprised of a PB&J sandwich (creamy and strawberry preserves, thank you), some fruit or veggies, Cheezits, an Oatmeal Creme Pie and a Capri-Sun.

But there was something a little special about our lunches. Inside was a seemingly plain folded piece of paper with just single letter inscribed on it.

And inside this little white piece of paper...

...was a picture and a note signed "Love, Mom."

I love these notes.

Come rain or shine.

These notes began my first day of high school.

And I kept every. Single. One.

Even the ones that got thrown into the spin cycle.

Since I'm in college, she can't really send me a note in my lunch everyday. So instead, my mom sends me an email with a cute picture attached. I woke up Friday to find this guy in my inbox.

Sorry, Dr. Brother.

Love,
Megan

New Year, New Room

So we are officially moved into our new condo! I'm living with the lovely Jana and Rebekah in an adorable little condo in Gainesville.

We've had a few trials this week as we've had several issues with our cable and internet. When we went to open our subscription, Cox somehow messed everything up, leaving us feeling as if we were in the Stone Age. But things are better now; we at least have internet and we are currently working on cable. Wish us luck!

My parents dropped me off on Friday because Dr. Brother had open house for middle school. I got right to organizing and putting things away. Here's a before shot of the room.

I love organizing but I had my work cut out for me. So I cranked up some music and got to it.

El baño.

And the final product.

I'm still working on some pictures to put up on the walls and a body pillow for the bed. But that's pretty much it! I love the condo and my lovely roommates.

I can't believe I've only been here a week. It's been a long week but I think it will get better. I'm adjusting to my class schedule (sweet 7:25 AM classes) and I've even cooked a couple of dinners in our kitchen. Football season is starting soon as well so I can't wait for that!

All in all, it's great to be a Florida Gator.

Carabiners

Before our departing flight from Providence, Rhode Island, we stopped at a gym along the way that had indoor rock climbing called Carabiners. Our local YMCA has a rock climbing room with 30-foot walls and some permanent routes. But this place was like our Y on steroids.

It had 3 floors to start from with the highest walls on the bottom floor. These routes ran up to 60-feet high and used for all different levels of climbers. There were walls where you could only use the black grips or only the red grips. There were shorter routes upstairs for beginners and intermediate climbers.

There were also these bouldering walls where you climb without ropes so you don't need a belayer. And there are pads to fall back on if you can't hack it.

Like this guy.

I found a place like it in Gainesville and I want to try it out! Tuesdays are Ladies' Nights so hit me up if you want to go :)

I need this.

Wordless Wednesday: Cape Cod Edition

I am an Island

This is the first time I've had internet access since Friday evening around 6 PM. I have never felt so helpless, confused, isolated, and anxious in my life as I have been the past 3 days. I would never wish this state of emotions on anyone ever ever ever.

On a lighter note, I am very thankful for UF wifi all over campus. Thank you, UF!

Today is the first day of classes and I am writing this from outside my Physiology lecture hall. I have Physiology Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:30 in the AM from today until forever (or December). Good thing I love to learn.

Happy Monday, y'all!

The Islander

For our last night, we went to The Islander for dinner. It's situated in the middle of a boat yard that looks over an harbor. It was an intimate atmosphere with seating for about 40 people. But the rest of the vibe was completely casual with Jimmy Buffet playing in the background and this sign outside.

My kind of dining.

We ordered some yummy appetizers for the table, including a shrimp cocktail. Dr. Brother then proceeded to eat all but one of the poor crustaceans. Dr. B loves him some shrimp. He's like Bubba from Forrest Gump. Or not.

I ordered a Crabby Mango Salad because I was dying to try some legit New England seafood. It did not disappoint.

We watched the sunset from the boat yard and then headed to a nearby beach for funnsies. Dr. B and my cousin continued to wrestle. Again, boys are so weird.

Oh, boys.

There were these HUGE boulders along the coastline that we walked along to get to a dock.

Perfection.

Boys are Weird

On our second day, we had planned to travel up the cape to a drive-in movie at night, stopping along the way for some fun. But the boys didn't want to see the movie playing, so we stayed local and hung out at the pond.

The water was crystal clear and refreshing. The boys had a blast shooting each other with water guns and fun toys. I kept my distance on the shore and held my camera to make sure they wouldn't get me wet!

Dr. Brother was relentless. He had a get-him-while-he's-down attitude.

This guy was rowing around the pond in an inflatable raft and oar.

Pretty ingenious, if you ask me.

Eventually the boys got bored with shooting water at each other. So we returned to the house. And shot more guns.

Imagine my surprise when I opened the closet in the den and found these bad boys. They're airsoft guns but still very, very, VERY realistic.

We shot them off the back of the deck into the patch of tree past their backyard. They even attached paper targets to the trees for aim.

Trees: 100 Megan: 0

Girls like shopping. Boys like shooting. Girls like playing. Boy like fighting.

Some things never change.

I Want S'More

On our first night, we headed down to the Barnstable Beach to do some off-roading and s'more-making. Like all nights on this vacation, the weather was GORGEOUS. I love Cape Cod. To two Floridians, the idea of wearing jeans and long sleeves anytime between February and December is completely foreign. If it weren't for the bonfire, we would have been popsicles!

When we arrived at the beach, we had to let the air out of the tires of my uncle's truck to be able to drive over the sandy beach. We passed some beautiful dunes and sea grasses as we followed the parade of trucks and RV's down the beach.

We secured a prime spot on the beach and set up camp to discourage other hoodlums from stealing our great view.

We grabbed pizzas at a local pizza joint a little ways down the street from the beach and brought them with us. I love Cape Cod. Mozzarella and Vine-Ripened Tomato with basil for the grown-ups (hey, that's me!) and cheese for the boys.

Divine.

We ate our dinner, played some frisbee, and watched the sunset. I love Cape Cod. Then it was time for s'mores! Here is a before shot.

NOM. NOM. NOM.

And after.

There is just something so right about s'mores. So quintessential of summer. So simple. So yummy.

I prefer my marshmallow to be slightly browned but my brother begs to differ.

He prefers his blackened to a crisp.

Overall, it was a great night and lots of fun was had by all. Have I mentioned I love Cape Cod? It's the truth.

Beaches

While the boys were crabbing, we walked down the boardwalk to the beach. Beaches up north are so different from beaches in Florida. They're rockier than the pristine beaches of Clearwater and the water is much colder than the temperate Gulf water. But, what they lack in friendliness on your feet, they more than make up for with their rustic beauty.

We're not in Florida anymore.

Gone Crabbin'

For my first day on the Cape, we went crabbing which is exactly like fishing. But with crabs instead of fish. And chicken instead of worms. And string instead of a pole.

But other than that, totally the same.

We went down to the boardwalk by my Aunt A's house. We set up shop on the bridge while the boys jumped into the mud to get closer to the action.

While the boys were sloshing through the mud, we prepared the chicken and string. And by we, I mean Aunt A because I'm a big baby.

What a pro!

She then lowered the stringed chicken to the boys down below.

The boys then threw it into the marshy water...


And waited for the crabs to come out. And when they did...

They scooped them up in their nets and plopped 'em in the bucket. It was really fun to watch the boys run around, scooping up crabs. Little boys are so weird like that.

What a haul!

And then we brought them home, cooked them up and made this yummy Crabby Mango Salad.

Just kidding! We released them back into the marsh because we care.